Dark humor is that something that can make you think watching George Lucas and Steven Spielberg literally raping Harrison Ford on his last Idiana Jones movie is hilarious (an actual South Park episode). Or it can make you laugh at the absurdity on how meaningless our lives really are, as nothing we do even matters and we can simply cease from existence at any given point (as seen in many Rick and Morty episodes). You get the idea. This is a matter that has been on my mind for quite some time ago, due to the general overturn I have noticed in the public opinion on several topics for the last decades, but how they have been openly welcomed for humoristic purposes, no matter how “horrific” that subject may be. Or are there any boundaries?
The first thing I must settle here is the fact that dark humor is not of everyone’s taste. The absurdity and insignificance it uses to treat “serious and delicate issues” (always depending on the individual’s view) such as death, family, abortion, politics, religion, racism, sexuality, raping, pedophilia, necrophilia, our very own existence, among many other controversial themes, can sometimes cause some rejection from a part of the population, or simply be remarked as unfunny by others.
However, this is a genre that has been around for a long time already (surrealist theorist André Breton credited Jonathan Swift as its originator) and has done nothing but increase its popularity, especially the last few decades.
A movement that probably reached its highest with Monty Python’s work (I suggest you read what Postmodernism is) and what has followed up as a chain of TV series with similar tones such as Rick and Morty, South Park, Archer, Robot Chicken, Louis C.K., It’s always sunny in Philadelphia, which happen to be some of the most acclaimed shows in the genre.
Do you notice a pattern there? Well, it turns out dark humor has been especially popularized in animation. Maybe the reason is that it is easier to portray that absurdity I have been talking about within an animated world where there are no rules nor limits. But those are also shows where those particular subjects are dehumanized, which adds up to the overall satire. Not all topics have fully been attacked, though; nevertheless, they are mocked of at some point. Take into consideration 9/11 or Muhammad’s depicting. It is possible to find one or other references to them, but I think there is still some reluctance to fully display them for the public.
I think society is much more open to taboo content like this one. It has left behind some of its insecurities, on the expense of sensibility for others. We are becoming a more aware world, where we no longer have to feel any respect for anything just because we have been told to. Could you imagine people mocking religion back in the medievial ages? Not a great idea.
Despite that, I actually enjoy a lot watching/reading Black Comedy. And not only because of the laughs. I think it tries to convince us of that morality is, in a way, relative. By that I don’t mean morality is useless or anything. Not at all. It came to existence in the first place as a need for communities to coexist. But knowing we as humans do have a dark side and that we mostly do nothing but restrain it, maybe it’s good to use dark humor as a little outlet not to repress our own feelings.
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STOPI too love black comedy/dark tourism. I don't think it is wrong as it is natural for people to relate too. If people are offended they are in denial or brainwashed somehow to think everything has to be perfect in their little world of thinking.
It is like how people think I am weird because I go to cemeteries but I think they are like open air museums and can learn a lot about people who no longer exist. Especially when it is an old cemetery and the people are only remembered by their graves otherwise they wouldn't exist. Where is the wrong in that? Maybe denial for them.
I think you just nailed it. Some people are way too PC nowdays, and think exploring this facts about human nature is just like a sin or something.
We are not perfect, and shouldn't try to be so either. That thing about cementeries sounds cool too. So much history burried underneath the surface. So many stories in there.
Thats for sure better than just shooting around with a gun :D
My father has always made so much Dark jokes so I'm very used to it :D
sometimes too much but thats how Dads are :D
Hahaha your dad sounds like so much fun!